H.R. No. 254

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Texas has the nation's largest rural population, and
	rural concerns are of enormous importance to the Lone Star State;
	and
	WHEREAS, Today, 3.2 million Texans, or 16 percent, live in
	rural areas; of the 254 counties in Texas, 172 are rural, and rural
	land totals 142 million acres, representing 84 percent of total
	land area; and
	WHEREAS, Our state leads the country in the number of farms
	and ranches, which cover 130.2 million acres, and small rural
	telephone cooperatives and companies provide service to over half
	the geographic area; and
	WHEREAS, Texas has more women and minority farm operations
	than any other state, and almost a third of the population in rural
	counties is 65 or older; reflecting the deep patriotism of the
	countryside, the majority of the nation's military men and women
	hail from rural backgrounds; and
	WHEREAS, Such essential products as food, fuel, and fiber are
	among those originating in rural Texas, but although rural
	operations contribute billions to the Texas economy, rural families
	typically earn only 48 percent of what metropolitan workers earn;
	and
	WHEREAS, While the rural population may be decreasing, rural
	people continue to demonstrate resolve and determination, as well
	as love for family, faith, and country, and the future of this state
	and nation depends in large part on the vibrancy and prosperity of
	our rural communities; and
	WHEREAS, A special legislative day provides a most fitting
	occasion to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of
	rural citizens, businesses, and industries; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
	Legislature hereby recognize February 3, 2015, as Rural Matters Day
	in Texas and express its gratitude and appreciation for the myriad
	contributions of rural Texans.
	King of Uvalde
	Anderson of McLennan
	Nevárez
	King of Hemphill
	Springer
	Straus Guerra Otto
	Allen Guillen Paddie
	Alonzo Gutierrez Parker
	Alvarado Harless Paul
	Alvarado Harless Paul
	Anchia Hernandez Peña
	Anderson of Dallas Herrero Phelan
	Anderson of McLennan Howard Phillips
	Ashby Huberty Pickett
	Aycock Hughes Price
	Bell Hunter Raney
	Blanco Isaac Raymond
	Bohac Israel Reynolds
	Bonnen of Brazoria Johnson Riddle
	Bonnen of Galveston Kacal Rinaldi
	Burkett Keffer Rodriguez of Bexar
	Burns Keough Rodriguez of Travis
	Burrows King of Hemphill Romero, Jr.
	Button King of Parker Rose
	Canales King of Taylor Sanford
	Capriglione King of Uvalde Schaefer
	Clardy Klick Schofield
	Coleman Koop Shaheen
	Collier Krause Sheets
	Cook Kuempel Sheffield
	Craddick Landgraf Simmons
	Crownover Larson Simpson
	Dale Laubenberg Smith
	Darby Leach Smithee
	Davis of Dallas Longoria Spitzer
	Davis of Harris Lozano Springer
	Deshotel Lucio III Stephenson
	Dukes Márquez Stickland
	Dutton Martinez Thompson of Brazoria
	Elkins Martinez Fischer Thompson of Harris
	Faircloth McClendon Tinderholt
	Fallon Menéndez Turner of Collin
	Farias Metcalf Turner of Harris
	Farney Meyer Turner of Tarrant
	Farrar Miles VanDeaver
	Fletcher Miller of Comal Villalba
	Flynn Miller of Fort Bend Vo
	Frank Moody Walle
	Frullo Morrison White of Bell
	Galindo Muñoz, Jr. White of Tyler
	Geren Murphy Workman
	Giddings Murr Wray
	Goldman Naishtat Wu
	Gonzales Nevárez Zedler
	González Oliveira Zerwas
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 254 was adopted by the House on February
	3, 2015, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House